Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where is the MoLA located?
A. We’re nestled in a small strip mall located in Culver City next to a Domino’s Pizza and Avis Car Rental. Type this address into your GPS:
4234 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230.
Q. What’s the parking situation?
There’s a parking lot in front of our studio entrance for only two cars. There is also meter parking on Sepulveda and plenty of free street parking in the neighborhood behind the studio and along the bike path on Culver Blvd. Just be sure to read the signs for 2-hour parking and street cleaning!
Q. Is clay included in the membership fee?
A. Yes! You are allowed 2 bags of clay per month with the cost of your membership.
Q. What types of clay does your studio offer?
A. We supply Laguna Clay’s B-Mix, Speckled Buff, and B3. Any other Cone 5 Laguna Clays can be specially ordered by MoLA at an additional cost.
Q. What hand building equipment do you have?
A. Our studio provides 5 large work tables, a wedging table, a slab roller, ware boards, basic hand building tools and forms (plaster/cardboard/foam). Any specialized or personal tools may be brought in for use if stored on your shelf.
Q: What is your membership cancellation policy?
A. There is a 3 month commitment when you first join MoLA. During this 3 month period you cannot pause or cancel your membership. After the initial 3 month period you can cancel your membership with a 14 day notice via email, otherwise we will charge you 50% of the following month's fee.
Q. Can I pause my membership if I’m leaving town?
A. Yes! After your initial 3 month commitment period you can pause your membership and we will hold your shelf in the studio for a fee of $85 per month. Pausing vs. canceling your membership will guarantee you an available membership when you are ready to return. It will also guarantee your shelf and waive the 3 month commitment at your return.
Q. Do you fire work that has been made outside of your studio?
A. We offer a Firing Membership but no outside firings or kiln rentals.
Q. Does your studio host pottery sales?
We do offer the opportunity for members to participate in sales twice a year in our studio! We provide tables, table clothes, fliers, online marketing, a gift bagging station, and refreshments for our makers on the day of the sale.
Q. Do you offer classes?
A. Yes! As our name implies, MoLA is a membership focused studio but we do offer private one time classes for small and occasionally large groups. More info can be found on our Privates Group Classes page!
Q. How do I sign up for a class?
A. Make sure to navigate to the Mindbody platform by clicking on the links included in our website. This works best on an actual computer, not on a tablet or phone. Within Mindbody, you will see that all of our classes are currently listed under the Workshops tab.
Click on the ‘Sign Up Now’ button for the workshop you want to attend.
Log in or create a new account.
Select the pricing option to attend the workshop you selected.
Confirm that the date / time for the class you want to take is correct under the pricing option.
Click check out on your shopping cart
Q. Do you offer ongoing classes other than one time intro classes?
A. MoLA can accommodate on-going individual or small party (3-4 people) private lessons. If you are looking for more frequently offered ongoing classes, our sister studio, Good Dirt LA, offers several class options for beginners who would like to continue their learning! At Good Dirt LA you can sign up for an introductory 6-Week Pottery Boot Camp class and are also welcome to join a 6-Week Mixed-Levels Class. Class sizes are limited to 5 students.
Q. How should I prepare for my private class?
A. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, trim your nails, tie your hair up if it’s long, and remove jewelry. All class fees include instruction, clay, glaze, firing, and use of studio tools, so you do not need to bring or purchase any other supplies.
Q. How many people can you book in a private class?
A. 2-6 students. For larger parties or corporate events please reach out through the contact information provided on our website or fill out a request form on our Private Group Classes Page!
Q: How long does it take for my pieces to be fired?
A: For private one time classes the turnaround time is 4–6 weeks. We will contact you as soon as your pieces are ready to be picked up.
Q: What is your workshop cancellation policy?
A: We offer full credit to your Mindbody account for cancellations made at least 7 days before the workshop. Cancellations made 48 hrs before the workshop will be credited 50% to your Mindbody account. No credit/refunds for any other cancellations. Thank you in advance for understanding.
Q: What is your class cancellation policy?
A. There are no refunds, but you may reschedule for another available time. We require you to cancel 72 hrs in advance.
Q. Do you offer classes for kids?
A. Unfortunately we do not offer any classes for kids under the age of 12 at our main studio. However, our sister studio Good Dirt LA offers occasional kids camps for ages 6-12 as well as Off-Site Private Lessons if you would like to host a kids hand building class at your home. Click here for more details!
Q. Is your space available for film, TV and commercial shoots?
A. Sure! If you would like to rent our studio for your shoot, please send an email to gooddirtla@gmail.com to discuss rates and availability.
Pottery Class Pointers
Read over these important tips before taking your first class!
Tip #1: Wear casual and comfortable clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Luckily the clay that we use comes out of fabric with a regular wash, but there are glazes and other materials that may not be as forgiving.
Tip#2: If you have long hair, bring an elastic or hair tie to wear it up.
This is crucial to avoid accidents on the wheel.
Tip#3: Trim your fingernails.
Long fingernails make throwing on the wheel and shaping clay much more difficult. We want you to be able to work with ease and get the most out of class!
Tip#4: Remove your jewelry.
Rings, watches and bracelets will only get in the way when working with clay, so it’s best to leave them at home.
